OA20962A - A composition for control of sigatoka disease. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to treatment of foliar diseases in banana.

Description

Title: A composition for control of Sigatoka disease

Field of invention

The present invention relates to methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants.

More specifically, the present invention relates to treatment of foliar diseases in 5 banana.

Background of the invention

Banana is of the most economically important crops grown in Asian, Africa and the Americas. Like ail plants, the banana plant is subject to many diseases. The most damaging and possibly commercially important disease in banana is the Sigatoka 10 disease, for example Yellow Sigatoka and Black Sigatoka disease, also known as black leaf streak.

Yellow Sigatoka disease, also called as Sigatoka leaf spot disease (SD) is a disease of bananas and is caused by the ascomvcetous fungus, Mycosphaerella musicola. The first sign of disease in SD is the appearance of smail yellow streaks 15 on the upper side of leaves. These streaks enlarge and coalesce forming necrotic lésions with light gray centres and yellow perimeters. Large areas of leaf can be damaged causing a lowering of photosynthetic ability, a réduction in crop yield and prématuré ripening of ihe fruit.

Black Sigatoka disease is characterized by dark leaf spots that eventually enlarge 20 and coalesce, causing much of the leaf area to turn yellow then brown to finally black. The disease is caused by Ascomycètes fungi Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Moreiet). Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) is a very spécifie filamentous fungi, extremely slow growing, its properties differ significantly from the other plant pathogens such as powdery miidew and Botrytis cinerea.

Black Sigatoka attacks leaves during the entire growth period up to the time of harvesting. It initial ly causes spotting and blotching of the leaf surfaces that results in necrosis and withering of the leaf tissue. The course of the disease is usually slow, but on account of the réduction of the active leaf surface leads to decrease in photosynthesis. This in turn results in decrease in growth and maturity of the

fruit, which directly impacts the yield and quality of the fruit. Black Sigatoka has a wide host range and infects most species of banana including dessert bananas, cooking bananas, and plantains.

The ascospores, and to a certain extent conidia, are the propagules by which the 5 fungus is dispersed by wind. The conidia form readily in high humidity, especially if a film of free water is présent on leaves. These asexual spores disperse during rain-wash and splashing, causing local spread of the disease. The spread of the disease is rapid and Chemical control is usually used to control and treat the disease. There are many Chemical fungicides known to treat and control the spread 10 of Sigatoka disease. These fungicides include commonly known contact fungicides such as mancozeb, chlorothalonil, as well as systemic fungicides such as morpholine, déméthylation inhibitors (DMI), or strobiliurin (Qol) fungicides, benzimidazoles etc. Résistance to benzimidazole, DMI, and strobiliurin fungicides is widespread in many production areas.

Researchers are constantly in search of newer fungicides that can control the disease without résistance developing, since developing résistance results in decreased sensitivity, which increases dosage as well as renewed efforts to find newer fungicides that can control and treat the disease.

Sulphur (S) is the Chemical element with atomic number 16. It is an abundant, 20 multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulphur atoms form cyclic octatomic molécules with Chemical formula S8. At room température elementai sulphur is a bright yellow crystalline solid. Chemically, sulphur can react as either an oxidizing or reducing agent, It oxidizes most metals and severai nonmetals, including carbon, which leads to its négative charge in most organosulphur 25 compounds, but it reduces severai strong oxidants, such as oxygen and fluorine.

It is also the lightest element to easily produce stable exceptions to the octet fuie.

Sulphur is one of the oldest fungicide known, also widely used today as a fongicide for the control of powdery mildews, rusts, leaf blights and fruit rots (Agrios, G, N., Plant Pathology, 4th édition, p. 208). Sulphur inhibits fungal spore germination and 30 disrupts fungal System through gaseous volatile agents (eg. Hydrogen Sulphide) and dîsrupts the metabolic processes of fungi and protects plants from diseases (Ellis, B. W. and F. Marshall Bradley, eds., Natural Insect and Disease Control, p. 369). Sulphur is also sometimes used as a miticide. For example, Kumulus D F, a water dispersible granular fungicide, is an approved fungicide for use against rust mites. Traditionally some plant diseases were controlled with applications of elemental sulphur, but this nécessitâtes frequent, high volume applications of an irritating material. Sulphur causes plant injury in hot and dry weather conditions.

Some plants are sensitive to sulphur and plant damage can occur when températures during application are greater than 30°C.

Ί θ There is a need in the art for a fungicide that can be used to controi/treat Sigatoka disease and without the risk of résistance being developed. There is a need in the art for a fungicide that completely Controls the disease and prevents the spread of the disease further.

More specifically, the présent invention relates to use of fungicide for the treatment 15 of foliar diseases in banana.

Embodiments of the présent invention can therefore provide for one or more advantages ofthe présent invention:

Objects of the invention:

It is an object of the présent invention to provide a method of controlling Sigatoka 20 disease in banana.

It is an object of the présent invention is to provide a method of controlling Yellow Sigatoka disease in banana.

It is an object of the présent invention is to provide a method of controlling Black Sigatoka disease in banana.

It is another object of the présent invention to provide a method of increasing yield in banana crop.

Another object of the présent invention is to provide a method of improving plant health in banana.

Yet another object of the présent invention is to provide a composition comprising sulphur for the control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

Yet another object of the présent invention is to provide a composition comprising sulphur for the control of Yellow Sigatoka in banana.

Yet another object of the présent invention is to provide the following advantages:

a) Afungicide thatwas hitherto notknown to be used to control black or yellow sigatoka for banana.

b) A method of controlling black or yellow sigatoka and improving the health of the plant.

c) A method of controlling black or yellow sigatoka and improving yield of the plant.

d) A method of controlling black or yellow sigatoka that can rapidly prevent 15 spread ofthe disease ofthe plant.

Some or ail of these and other objects of the invention are can be achieved by way of the invention described hereinafter.

Summary of the invention;

In an aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing or partially 20 preventing Sigatoka disease or a symptom or condition associated with Sigatoka disease in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur to the locus of the disease.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka disease or a symptom or condition associated with 25 Yellow Sigatoka disease in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur to the locus of the disease.

In an aspect the present invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur to the locus of the disease.

Therefore, in another aspect, the present invention may provide a method for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

Therefore, in another aspect, the present invention may provide a method for 10 partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising applying sulphur and at least one another fungicide to the banana plant.

In yet another aspect, the present invention may provide a method of increasing yield of a banana plant, said method comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

Another aspect of the present invention may provide a composition for preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition 20 associated with Yellow Sigatoka or Black Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur.

Detailed description of the invention:

Our granted Indian patent IN295495 and patent application 0145/KOL/2014 are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the spécification, to the same 25 extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. The contents of both of these patent publications are incorporated herein by reference.

Therefore, embodiments of the présent invention provide methods of preventing or partially preventing Sigatoka disease or a symptom or condition associated with Sigatoka disease in banana, comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, the Sigatoka disease is Yellow Sigatoka caused by 5 Mycosphaerelia musicota.

In an embodiment, the Sigatoka disease is Black Sigatoka caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis.

Embodiments of the présent invention also provide methods of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with 10 Black Sigatoka in banana, comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

Embodiments of the présent invention also provide methods of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, sulphur is applied in an agrochemically efficacious amount.

In an embodiment, a composition comprising sulphur may be applied.

In an embodiment, sulphur or a composition thereof may be applied to an infected or to an uninfected banana plant.

In an embodiment, sulphur or a composition thereof may be applied to a plurality of banana plants.

In an embodiment, sulphur or a composition thereof may be applied to a field in which a plurality of banana plants are growing.

It has now been surprisingly found that sulphur has a préventive or prophylactic effect, as well as a curative effect, on Black or Yellow Sigatoka in banana. In this embodiment, sulphur was found to be prophylactic in terms of preventing or 25 partially preventing Black or Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black or Yellow Sigatoka in banana.

Sulphur hâve been found to offer préventive and/or curative effects to the Black Sigatoka or Yellow Sigatoka infection in banana. Therefore, they are referred to herein as the active ingrédients accordîng to the présent invention. The compound

has not been previously used on banana, either pre- or post-harvest. The present inventors hâve therefore, surprisingly found that Sulphur can be used to prevent and/or control Black Sigatoka or Yellow Sigatoka disease in banana. The present inventors hâve surprisingly found that use of sulphur results in prévention and/or 5 control of Black Sigatoka and Yellow Sigatoka.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in various embodiments, methods and compositions for preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana by applying sulphur to the affected or unaffected banana plant.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in various embodiments, methods and compositions for preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana by applying sulphur to the affected or unaffected banana plant.

The present inventors hâve surprisingly found the following hitherto unknown 15 benefits of sulphur: prophylactically prevents or partially prevents Yellow and Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow or Black Sigatoka in banana; and partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow or Black Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, Sulphur is administered in combination with a second fungicide.

In an embodiment, the second fungicide is a multisite contact fungicide.

The term ‘disease control’ as used herein dénotés control and prévention of a disease. Controlling effects include ail déviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, decrease of the fugal disease.

The term ‘plants’ refers to ail physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage and fruits.

The ‘locus’ is intended to the site of the estabiished végétation and/or parts of the established végétation such as leaves or foîiage, saplings etc. Banana plants may be of any variety of the species Musa x paradisiaca.

The term “agriculturally acceptable amount of active” refers to an amount of an 5 active that kills or inhibits the plant disease for which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxic to the plant being treated.

Therefore, in one aspect, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur or a composition comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

Therefore, in one aspect, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur or a composition comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, sulphur is applied in the presence of a minerai oil.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and a minerai oil to the banana plant.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and a minerai oil to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, sulphur is used in the presence of at least one another 25 fungicide.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partialîy preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and at least one another fungicide to the banana plant.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partialîy preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and at least one another fungicide to the banana plant.

In yet another aspect, the présent invention provides a method of increasing yield 10 of a banana plant, said method comprising applying Sulphur to the banana plant.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the présent inventors believe that Sulphur reduces the number of ascospores capable of infecting the banana plant, thereby arresting the growth and reducing spread of Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) as well as controlling the growth on the foliage. The probability of reinfection is 15 significantly reduced thus support in minimizing the disease severity throughout the crop lifecycle. As will be demonstrated by the experiments described herein, the application of sulphur controlled Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) with almost 95 to 100% efficacy.

Thus, in an embodiment, sulphur is applied to the affected banana plants in the 20 form of a composition.

Thus, in one embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partialîy preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a composition comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

In one embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of preventing or partialîy preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a composition comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

In an aspect, the présent invention may also provide a composition for preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising Sulphur.

In an aspect, the présent invention may also provide a composition for preventing 5 or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with

Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising Sulphur.

In an embodiment, the composition comprising Sulphur may be a solid or a liquid composition.

In an embodiment, the composition may be a suspension concentrate composition 10 comprising sulfur.

Further, in an aspect, the présent invention provides a suspension concentrate comprising particulate sulfur suspended in an aqueous medium, said aqueous medium additionaîly comprising at least one surfactant.

In an embodiment, the particulate sulfur has a particle size diameter distribution of 15 D» less than 10 microns.

The composition may be sprayed alone or may be mixed with adjuvants.

Suitable adjuvants according to présent invention are selected from surfactants, oils, thickener, antifoaming agent, biocide and solvents.

The oils used may include but are not limited to minerai oils, vegetable oils and 20 fats, sunflower oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oii, high-oleic rapeseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, palm kernei oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, high oleic safflower oiî and the like.

The surfactants selected may include but are not limited to, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactant and anionic surfactants. The addition of a surfactant can improve adhesion of the active to the surface of the leaf as well as improve bio-availability of the active.

Exemplary nonionic surfactants may include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, 5 polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether and the like, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters; alcohot ethoxylates, alkylpyrrolidones, alkyl phénol ethoxylated alcohol such as nonylphenol ethoxylated alcohol amphoteric surfactant such as poly-octyl amino ethyl glycine, coconut oil fatty acid amide propyl betaine, such as imidazoline 10 dérivatives, and among others, poly-octyl amino ethyl glycine, coconut oil fatty acid amide propyl betaine may be used. Exemplary cationic surfactant may be selected from polyoxyethylene cocoamine, lauryl dihydroxyethyl amine, cationized cellulose, chloride lauryl trimethyl ammonium, quaternary ammonium salts, such as stearyitrimethylammonium chloride, and among others, polyoxyethylene 15 cocoamine, cationized cellulose, lauryl dihydroxyethyl amine is preferably used.

Anionic surfactant may be selected from potassium soap, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, castor oil sodium sulfate, an alkyl ether phosphoric acid esters.

In an embodiment, the surfactant may be selected from salts of 20 naphthaienesulphonic acid/formaldéhyde condensâtes, salts of condensâtes of naphthalenesulphonic acid, phenolsulphonic acid and formaldéhyde preferably fatty alcohol ethoxylate, fatty alcohol oxyethylenate, sodium naphthalene formaldéhyde condensate, sodium sait of naphthalene sulfonate condensate.

The surfactant may be présent in an amount of about 0.2 to about 5% by total 25 weight of the formulation.

In an embodiment, any biodégradable surfactant may be used in the compositions of the présent invention.

Thus, the preferred formulations according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably include at least one thickener. The thickener according to the présent invention may be selected from a heteropolysaccharide or a synthetic or natural gum. The gum may preferably be in the form of a gel of predetermined strengths such as 2 percent.

The thickener may be présent in an amount of about 0.1 % to about 5% by total 5 weight of the formulation.

The formulations according to the présent invention may include at least one antifoaming agent The anti-foaming agent included within the formulations of the présent invention may be selected from but are not limited to stéarates; silicones; dimethyl polysiloxanes and ethoxylates. Preferably, the anti- foaming agent is 10 dimethyl polysiloxanes , polyorganosiloxane or a silicone based defoamer. In an embodiment, the anti-foaming agent may be présent within the formulations according to the présent invention in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by total weight of the formulation.

The formulations of the présent invention may include a biocide, which may be a 15 mixture comprising dipropylene glycol, 1, 2-bezisothiazolin-3-one or sodium hydroxide and water. However, it should be understood that the présent invention is not limited to these spécifie biocides and other biocides that are known in the art may also be conveniently used. The biocide may be présent within the formulations according to the présent invention in an amount of about 0.1 to about 0.5% by total 20 weight of the formulation.

The formulation of the présent invention also includes solvent such as distilled water.

In an embodiments sulphur may be mixed with other fungicides which are known to be used for prophylactic or curative control of Black Sigatoka disease, such 25 fungicides may be tank mixed or formuiated into a spécifie formulation.

In an embodiments sulphur may be mixed with other fungicides which are known to be used for prophylactic or curative control of Yellow Sigatoka disease, such fungicides may be tank mixed or formuiated into a spécifie formulation.

In an embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur in combination with a second fungicide to the locus of the disease.

In an embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur in combination with a second fungicide to the locus of the disease.

in an embodiment, the second fungicide may be selected from copper, contact fongicides such as dithiocarbamate fongicides or chlorothalonil; or Systemic fongicides such as those selected from DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrimidines, Benzimidazoles, SDHI fongicides, Guanidines or mixtures thereof.

The dithiocarbamate fongicides may be selected from mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb, zineb, mancopper, ziram, thiram or mixtures thereof.

The muiti-site contact fongicides of the présent invention inhibit fungal growth through multiple sites of action and hâve contact and préventive activity.

In an embodiment, the multi-site contact fongicide may be selected from copper 20 fongicides, dithiocarbamate fongicides, phthalamide fongicides, chloronitrile fongicides, sulfamide fongicides, guanidine fongicides, triazines fongicides and quinone fongicides.

The copper fongicides of the présent invention are inorganic compounds containing copper, typically in the copper (II) oxidation State and are preferably 25 selected from copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, copper hydroxide and tribasic copper sulfate (Bordeaux mixture).

In an embodiment, the sulfur fongicides of the présent invention are inorganic Chemicals containing rings or chains of sulfur atoms and is preferably elemental sulfur.

The dithiocarbamate fongicides of the présent invention contain a dithiocarbamate 5 molecular moiety and are selected from amobam, asomate, azîthiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb and zineb.

The phthalamide fongicides of the présent invention contain a phthalamide 10 molecular moiety and are selected from folpet, captan and captafol.

The chloronitrile fongicide of the présent invention comprises an aromatic ring substituted with chloro- and cyano-substituents and is preferably chlorothalonil.

The sulfamide fongicides of the présent invention are preferably selected from dichlofluanid and tolylfluanid.

The guanidine fongicides of the présent invention are preferably selected from dodine, guazantine and iminoctaadine.

The triazine fongicide of the présent invention is preferably anilazine.

The quinone fongicide of the présent invention is preferably dithianon.

In an embodiment, the multi-site contact fongicide of the present invention is a 20 dithiocarbamate fongicide selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb and zineb.

In an embodiment, sulfur is applied in combination with a copper based fongicide.

In an embodiment, the copper based fungicide is preferably tribasic copper sulfate.

In an embodiment, the fungicide combination comprises sulfur and tribasic copper sulfate.

The DM inhibitor fungicides may be selected from imazalil, oxpoconazole, 5 pefurazoate, prochloraz, Triflumizole, triforine, pyrifenox, fenarimol, nuarimol, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cypraconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, Flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, Penconazole, Propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, 10 tetraconazole, Triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole or combination thereof.

The Qol inhibitor fungicides may be selected from azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin enoxastrobin, enestrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, kresoxim-methyl, trifioxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone or combinations thereof.

The amine fungicides may be selected from aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, piperalin or combinations thereof.

The anilinopyrimidine fungicides may be selected from cyprodînil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil or combinations thereof.

The benzimidazole fungicides may be selected from albendazole, benomyl, 20 carbendazim, chlorfenazole, cypendazole, debacarb, fuberidazole, mecarbinzid, rabenzazole, thiabendazole or combinations thereof.

The SDHI inhibitor fungicides may be selected from benodanil, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, fluindapyr, fluoxapyroxad, mepronîl, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, isofetamid, fluopyram, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, sedaxane, isoflucypram, pydiflumetofen, pyraziflumid, thifluzamide or combinations thereof.

The guanidine fungicide may be selected from guazatine, iminoctadine or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the second fungicide may be selected from Dichlobentiazox, Isoflucypram, Fenpicoxamid, Florylpicoxamid, Fluoxapiprolin, Mefentrifluconazole, Ipfentrifluconazole, Pydiflumetofen, Metyltetraprole, Inpyrfluxam, Quinofumelin, Oxathiapiprolin, Bixafen, Fluindapyr, Dipymetitrone, Pyridachlometyl, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the second fungicide may be combination of any two or more of the fungicides described hereinabove.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow or Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a composition comprising Sulphur and a second fungicide selected from the group consisting of dithiocarbamates, chlorothalonil, DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, SDH inhibitors, amines, aniiinopyrimidines, benzimidazoles, guanidines and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the present invention can provide a composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Black Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur, and a second fungicide selected from the group consisting of dithiocarbamates, chlorothalonil, DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, SDH inhibitors, amines, aniiinopyrimidines, benzimidazoles, guanidines and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the present invention can provide a composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur, and a second fungicide selected from the group consisting of

dithiocarba mates, chlorothalonil, DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, SDH inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrimidines, benzimidazoles, guanidines and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition may additionally comprise additional insecticides, nematicide, herbicide, biocides, fertilizer, plant activators, plant 5 extracts or mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and cinnamaldéhyde to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying Sulphur and cinnamaldéhyde to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, the present invention can provide a composition for partial or 15 complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Black Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur and cinnamaldéhyde.

In an embodiment, the present invention can provide a composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect 20 associated with the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur and cinnamaldéhyde.

In an embodiment, cinnamaldéhyde may be used in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation (EC) or an oil in water émulsion (EW).

In an embodiment, the cinnamaldéhyde formulation is 300 EC.

In an embodiment, the cinnamaldéhyde formulation is 300 EW.

In an embodiment, cinnamaldéhyde formulation may be used in an amount of 2.5 -3.5 L/ha.

In an embodiment, Sulphur is preferably used as a 825 SC formulation.

In an embodiment, the use of Sulphur in the method of the présent invention 5 provides a preventative control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

in an embodiment, the use of Sulphur in the method of the présent invention provides a preventative control of Yellow Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, the use of Sulphur in the method of the présent invention provides a curative control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, the use of Sulphur in the method of the present invention provides a curative control of Yellow Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, Sulphur may be used in an amount of 5000 g/ha for preventative or curative control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, Sulphur may be used in an amount of 5000 g/ha for 15 preventative or curative control of Yellow Sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, sulfur may be used in an amount of 2500 g/ha in combination with a second agrochemical.

In an embodiment, the second agrochemical is a fungicide.

In an embodiment, Sulphur is preferably used as a 80 WG formulation.

In an embodiment, Sulphur is preferably used as a 990 DP formulation.

In an embodiment, sulfur may be repeatedly sprayed onto the banana plants.

In an embodiment, sulfur may be repeatedly sprayed a predetermined number of times at regular intervals of a predetermined number of days.

In an embodiment, sulfur may be repeatedly sprayed 15 times at regular intervals of 6 days.

In an embodiment, the sulfur formulation may be diluted with water in required quantities and sprayed onto banana plants at 25 Uha.

In an embodiment, the composition of the présent invention comprises 640 SC of sulfur in combination with a copper fungicide 80 SC.

In an embodiment, the composition of the présent invention comprises 650 SC of 10 sulfur in combination with tebuconazole 10 WG formulation.

In an embodiment, the composition of the présent invention comprises 700 SC of sulfur in combination with tebuconazole 45 DG formulation.

In an embodiment, the composition of the présent invention comprises laminarin 45 SL formulation as the second agrochemîcal.

In an embodiment, the composition ofthe présent invention comprises orthosilicic acid as the second agrochemîcal.

In an embodiment, the method of the présent invention comprises use of 640 SC formulation of sulfur in combination with a copper fungicide 80 SC.

In an embodiment, the method of the présent invention comprises use of 650 SC 20 formulation of sulfur in combination with tebuconazole 10 WG formulation.

In an embodiment, the method of the présent invention comprises use of 700 SC formulation of sulfur in combination with tebuconazole 45 DG formulation.

In an embodiment, the method of the présent invention comprises use of laminarin 45 SL formulation as the second agrochemical.

In an embodiment, the method of the présent invention comprises the use of orthosilicic acid as the second agrochemical.

in an embodiment, the composition may be formulated as commonly known formulations such as solid, or liquid formulations, including but not limited to, wettable powders, granules, dusts, Soluble (liquid) concentrâtes, suspension concentrâtes, oil in water émulsion, water in oil émulsion, emulsifiable concentrâtes, capsule suspensions, ZC formulations, liquid creame (FC) 10 formulation, oil dispersions or other known formulation types.

In an embodiment the composition is a liquid composition.

It has further been found, in an embodiment, that the liquid formulations comprising sulfur exhibit greater control of Black Sigatoka in banana as compared to solid formulations.

ln a preferred embodiment, the formulation is a suspension concentrate formulation.

In another preferred embodiment, suspension concentrate (SC) formulation of sulphur may be applied to the affected locus in an amount from about 0.5 L/Ha to about 5.0 L/Ha, preferably from about 1.0 L/Ha to about 2.0 UHa, more preferably 20 about 1.0 UHa to about 1.5 UHa .

In an embodiment, the SC formulations can comprise agriculturally acceptable surfactants, dispersants, polymers, wetting agents, other adjuvants stabilizers, pH modifiers, anti-freeze agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers, antifoam agents, pH stabilising agents, preservatives and the like.

In an embodiment, the présent invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition assocîated with

Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a suspension concentrate formulation comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

In an embodiment, the present invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with 5 Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a suspension concentrate formulation comprising Sulphur to the banana plant.

In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a suspension 10 concentrate formulation comprising sulphur and at least a second fungicide.

In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing Yellow Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Yellow Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a suspension concentrate formulation comprising sulphur and at least a second fungicide.

In an embodiment, suspension concentrate formulation may be used in an amount of about from 1 L to about 2.5L per hectare, preferred being 1.5 L/ha to 2Uha for préventive and/or curative control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

Using sulphur or a composition thereof, of the present invention, for the treatment and/or prévention of Black Sigatoka, either by itself or in combination with at least 20 one another fungicide suitable for treating said disease, is therefore an additional embodiment ofthe invention.

Using sulphur or a composition thereof, of the present invention, for the treatment and/or prévention of Yellow Sigatoka, either by itself or in combination with at least one another fungicide suitable for treating said disease, is therefore another 25 additional embodiment of the invention.

The method of control of the present invention may be carried out by spraying the suggested tank mixes, or the individual fungicides and/or adjuvants may be formulated as a kit-of-parts containing various components that may be mixed as instructed prior to spraying.

In an embodiment, the components of the présent invention may be packaged such that sulphur and/or a second fungicide and/or adjuvant may be packaged separately and then tank mixed before the spraying for treating target disease.

In another embodiment the components of the présent invention may be packaged such that sulphur may be packaged separately, whereas, other material s/additives are packaged separately, such that the two maybe tank mixed at the time of spraying.

The compositions of the présent invention may be conveniently prepared in concentrated form or in a ready-to-use form.

In another aspect, the présent invention provides a process for préparation of suspension concentrate of sulfur, said process comprising:

a) mixing a predetermined quantity of water and at least one surfactant with sulfur;

b) grinding the mixture of step (a) and filtering through mesh;

c) mixing a second quantity of water and at least one thickener in another vessel and obfaining a thickener premix;

d) mixing the thickener premix of step (c) and ground sulfur of step (b) in another vessel; and

e) filtering the mixture to obtain a suspension.

Typically, the process for préparation of said composition comprises grinding a mixture of sulphur, surfactants and water, in a colloïdal mixer for some time to reduce the particle size of suphur, then by bead mills to obtain the good particle size at a regular flow rate. The mixture is sieved at 250 microns to retrieve ail the 25 big particles and thickening agent is added to this grinded mixture to obtain desired composition.

The invention shall now be described with reference to the following spécifie examples. It should be noted that the example(s) appended below illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be ab!e to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES:

Example 1:

Ingrédients	Amount
Sulphur	57,85%
Fatty alcohol oxyethylenate	0.50%
Sodium sait of naphthalene sulfonate condensate	2.0 %
Water	Q.S.

Water and a part of the given quantity of fatty alcohol ethoxylate were mixed with raw sulfur. The mixture was ground and filtered through mesh of a predetermined size to obtain particulate sulfur having the predetermined particle size of less than 10 micron. Water and Fatty alcohol ethoxylate were mixed followed by addition of the suspension concentrate of particulate sulfur suspended in an aqueous medium in the presence of fatty alcohol ethoxylate to obtain a stable composition.

Example 2:

Field trial were conducted to détermine the efficacy of sulphur formulation on Black Sigatoka plant in Banana.

Comparative tests to evaluate the effectiveness of sulfur was carried out for the treatment of Black Sigatoka in banana crops. The experimental plot consisted of

10 banana plants planted in a line at a distance of 2.5 meters between each plant.

The test design was completely random and each treatment was repeated three times. The treatment was applied using a sprayer.

In an embodiment, the formulation of ex. 1 above was used in the treatment. The tables appearing below show the compositions used for each treatment, and the quantifies used in each of the compositions. The treatments were applied a total of

times.

The following variables were analysed on a weekly basis: total number of leaves per plant, youngest leaf infected (yii), youngest leaf spotted (yls), and the severity of the disease. The studies of the disease were carried out once the first leaf 5 treated reached the position 4, and every 7 days for up to two weeks after the last instance when the formulations were applied.

The tables below show the results of the tests carried out. It should be taken into account that the first appearance of symptoms is correlated with the severity of the infection.

Table 1:

S No.	Test composition	Percentage disease control
1	Untreated	0
2	Sulfur 825 SC @ 1.5 Uha	32.75
3	Mancozeb 800 g/kg @ 2.0 L/ha (diluted)	26.90
4	Minéral oil 5 L/ha	23.98
5	Microthiol Disperss 1.5 Uha (diluted)	25.15

It was thus concluded that sulfur provided the best control against Black Sigatoka than the conventional treatments. Itwas further surprising that a liquid formulation of sulfur provided more than 33% better control against Black Sigatoka than a solid formulation.

Table 2

S No.	Test composition	Percentage disease control
1	Untreated	0

2	Sulfur 640 + Copper 80 SC @ 1.5 Uha	32.75
3	Mancozeb 800 g/kg @ 2.0 Uha (diluted)	26.90
4	Minerai oil 5 L/ha	23.98
5	Bordeaux mixture 20 WP @ 2.0 Uha	7.60

The fungicidal method and composition of the présent invention can offer some particular advantages over the compositions and methods known in the prier art. The method of the invention can be used to control and prevent Black Sigatoka in banana more efficaciousîy than the known standard treatments. The present invention demonstrates a better control capacity at reduced volumes thereby making it more environmentally friendly.

Claims (19)

1. A method of preventing or partially preventing Sigatoka disease or a symptom or condition associated with Sigatoka disease in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur or a composition thereof to the banana plant.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Sigatoka disease is selected from Yellow Sigatoka or Black Sigatoka.

3. A method of preventing or partially preventing Black Sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with Black Sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying sulphur or a composition thereof to the banana plant.

10

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sulphur or a composition thereof is applied to an infected or to an uninfected banana plant.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sulphur or a composition thereof is applied to a plurality of banana plants or to a field in which a plurality of banana plants is growing.

15

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said sulphur is applied in the presence of a minerai oil.

7. A method of increasing yield of a banana plant, said method comprising applying sulphur to the banana plant.

8. A composition for preventing or partially preventing Sigatoka or a symptom or

20 condition associated with Sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising sulphur.

9. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in banana,

said method comprising applying Sulphur in combination with a second fungicide to the locus of the disease.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second fungicide is selected from contact fungicides such as multi-site fungicides; or systemic fungicides

5 such as those selected from DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrimidines, Benzimidazoles, SDHI fungicides, Guanidines or mixtures thereof.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the multi-site fungicide is selected from:

10 a. dithiocarbamate fungicides selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulftram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb or zineb;

b. copper fungicides selected from copper oxychforide, copper sulfate,

15 copper hydroxide or tribasic copper sulfate (Bordeaux mixture);

c. phthalamide fungicides selected from folpet, captan or captafol;

d. chloronitrile fungicide, which is chlorothalonii;

e. sulfamide fungicides selected from dichlofluanid or tolylfluanid;

f. guanidine fungicides selected from dodine, guazantine or iminoctadine;

20 g. triazine fungicide, which is anilazine;

h. quinone fungicide, which is dithianon;

and combinations thereof.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second fungicide is selected from:

a. DM inhibitor fungicides selected from imazalil, oxpoconazole, pefurazoate, prochloraz, Triflumizole, triforine, pyrifenox, fenarimol, nuarimol, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, 5 fluquinconazole, Fiusilazole, fiutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, Penconazoîe, Propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, Triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole or combination thereof

b. Qol inhibitor fungicides selected from azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin Ίθ enoxastrobin, enestrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone or combinations thereof;

c. amine fungicides selected from aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, piperalin or combinations thereof;

15 d. anilinopyrimidine fungicides selected from cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil or combinations thereof;

e. benzimidazole fungicides selected from albendazole, benomyl, carbendazim, chiorfenazole, cypendazole, debacarb, fuberidazole, mecarbinzid, rabenzazole, thiabendazole or combinations thereof;

20 f· SDHI inhibitor fungicides selected from benodanil, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, fluindapyr, fluoxapyroxad, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, isofetamid, fluopyram, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, sedaxane, isoflucypram, pydiflumetofen, pyraziflumid, thifluzamide or combinations thereof;

g. guanidine fungîcide selected from guazatine, iminoctadine or combinations thereof;

and mixtures thereof.

13. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, 5 symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in banana, as claimed in claim 9, said method comprising applying Sulphur and cinnamaldéhyde to the banana plant.

14. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in 10 banana, as claimed in claim 9, said method comprising applying Sulphur and laminarin to the banana plant.

15. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in banana, as claimed in claim 9, said method comprising applying Sulphur 15 and orthosilicic acid to the banana plant.

16. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in banana, as claimed in claim 9, said method comprising applying Sulphur and tebuconazole to the banana plant.

20

17. A method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of Sigatoka in banana, as claimed in claim 9, said method comprising applying Sulphur and a copper fungicide to the banana plant.

18. A kit-of-parts for partial or complété curative control of the disease, 25 condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of

Sigatoka in banana comprising a component of sulphur and a component of a second fungicide and/or adjuvant.

19. The kit-of-parts as claimed in claim 18, wherein the said components may be tank-mixed at the time of application.